Micr & Molecular Genetics: Intr Biomedical Research Meth

Introduces life science majors/minors to the scientific processes involved in biomedical research and to current research techniques and approaches, also introduces reading and interpreting primary literature articles, as well as discussing current topics regarding the ethical concerns of biomedical research. Prerequisite: MMG 2010.

Prereqs enforced by the system: MMG 2010; Open to Degree and PACE students

The overall goal of MMG2060 is to introduce life science majors to the development and implementation of biomedical research projects and to currently used research techniques and methods. In addition, students are introduced to reading and interpreting primary literature articles, using lab math and biomedical statistics, and using bioinformatic methods. The course is structured as in-class lectures and discussions with a focus on engaged and interactive learning. Students work individually on graded take-home assignments throughout the semester. Additionally, students develop a research proposal during the semester and submit the final product as their capstone project.

This course functions as a learning community. Therefore, in-person attendance is expected and required. Attendance will be tracked using iClicker. Besides in-class time, which totals to 2.5 hours per week, you will also be expected to spend 5-6 hours per week doing any assigned reading and working on various assignments, including the scaffolded portions of your capstone project (research proposal). There is no required textbook for this course, and all assigned reading will be made available to students through Brightspace at no cost.

There are no exams in this course. The majority of the semester's grade will come from 6 take-home assignments, each of which is worth 9% of the overall grade. The capstone project is a research proposal written on a topic chosen from a short list that we will provide. The proposal will be written section-by-section in draft form first, before being completed into its final form which will be due on the first day of exam week, and the whole project is worth 35% of the overall grade. There will be two journal article discussions with a reflection due afterwards, each being worth 3% of the overall grade. Finally, a 5% attendance grade also applies which can be earned in full by adhering to the attendance policy.